Updated April 2026 · 14 min read · Used by 1,000+ employers globally including Goldman Sachs, Shell, Unilever, Deutsche Bank
| Company | HireVue, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | South Jordan, Utah, USA |
| Products | Video Interview (pre-recorded + live) · Game-Based Assessments · Coding Assessments · AI-Powered Scoring |
| Major clients | Goldman Sachs, Shell, Unilever, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, IBM, Nike, Delta Air Lines |
| AI scoring | Analyses speech patterns, facial expressions, word choice, and answer structure |
HireVue is the world's leading video interview and digital assessment platform, used by over 1,000 global employers to screen millions of candidates per year. If you've received an invitation to a "video interview" or "digital interview" from a major employer, there's a very high probability it's HireVue. The platform combines pre-recorded video interviews with AI-powered scoring and — for many employers — game-based cognitive assessments embedded directly into the same session.
The standard HireVue pre-recorded interview works as follows: you log in to the HireVue portal from any device (laptop or phone), read the question on screen, and record your response using your webcam. You typically have:
HireVue's AI scoring evaluates multiple dimensions of your video responses:
| Dimension | How it's measured | Preparation tip |
|---|---|---|
| Word choice and language | NLP analysis of vocabulary, industry terms, response structure | Use specific, precise language. Avoid filler words (um, like, basically). |
| Speech fluency | Pause frequency, speech rate, disfluencies | Practise aloud until responses flow naturally. Record yourself and review. |
| Answer structure | STAR format recognition, completeness of response | Always complete the Result/Impact portion of your answer — many candidates trail off after Action. |
| Facial expressions (deprecated in some markets) | Emotion detection — positive engagement signals | Maintain eye contact with the camera, not the screen. Smile naturally when appropriate. |
| Energy and engagement | Voice modulation, enthusiasm detection | Vary your tone. Monotone delivery scores lower than expressive, energetic delivery. |
Note: HireVue announced reduced use of facial expression analysis in several markets following regulatory scrutiny. However, the NLP, speech, and structure components remain active across all markets.
For employers who add the cognitive component, HireVue delivers 4–6 game-based assessments embedded in the same session as the video interview. The most common games:
| Game | Tests | Difficulty level |
|---|---|---|
| Flashback (N-Back) | Working memory, sustained attention | High — most candidates find this hardest |
| Digit Span | Verbal working memory | Medium |
| PortraitXT / PuzzlePicture | Visual memory, pattern recognition | Medium |
| Arrows | Attention and inhibitory control | Medium-high |
| Card Deck (Iowa variant) | Learning from feedback, adaptability | Medium |
The game scores are combined with video interview scores using the employer's specific weighting model. For some employers (e.g. Goldman Sachs), the cognitive game scores carry more weight than the video content. For others (e.g. Barclays), the video content dominates. You will not be told the weighting.
Goldman Sachs: HireVue with heavy emphasis on cognitive games. 3 video questions + game battery. Numerical data interpretation games may be included for front-office roles.
Shell: HireVue VJT + ODVI combined. Games (Flashback, Digit Span, PuzzlePicture) + 3 video questions.
Barclays: HireVue pre-recorded video interview, 3–4 questions. RISES values alignment assessed via speech analysis.
Unilever (UK): HireVue game-based assessment + digital video interview as two separate steps in the UFLP process.
Deutsche Bank: HireVue pre-recorded video + cognitive assessment for some divisions.
Technical setup: Use Chrome or Safari. Test your camera and microphone before starting. Use a wired internet connection if possible. Film in a clean, well-lit environment — natural light is best. Look directly at the camera lens, not at your own face on screen. Dress as you would for an in-person interview.
Content preparation: Prepare 6–8 STAR stories before your interview. Each story should cover at least 3 different competencies depending on how you frame it. Practise delivering each story in under 2 minutes without notes. Common question themes: leadership, teamwork, resilience, commercial awareness, problem-solving, "why us?"
HireVue is a video-interview platform. Candidates are shown a question on screen, given 30 seconds to think, then up to 3 minutes to record a video answer. Answers are scored by AI (speech-to-text transcription + NLP + facial-analysis heuristics) and increasingly by human reviewers for senior roles.
Example prompt:
"Describe a time you had to persuade a team to adopt an approach they initially disagreed with. What did you do, and what was the outcome?"
Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and hit all four beats. Speak clearly, make eye contact with the camera, keep to 90–120 seconds.
HireVue allows up to 3 minutes per answer but the sweet spot is 90–120 seconds. Too short suggests unpreparedness; too long suggests poor editing and loses AI-scoring keyword density.
Structure inside 90 seconds:
If you want a shortcut: TestSolve reads each test question on your screen and sends the answer to your phone in about 5 seconds. Free first solve, no signup. Pricing.
These companies commonly include HireVue assessments in their hiring process.